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Article Series: Heart Health
I Want A Healthy Heart!
What
is Heart Failure?
When you hear the term “heart failure” you
may think that the heart is going to stop at any moment. Heart
failure actually means that your heart isn’t pumping
blood either because it isn’t properly filling with blood and/or
it doesn’t have enough force to pump blood out of the heart
entirely.
Unlike a heart attack, heart failure doesn’t come on suddenly.
It’s the result of a long period of time when the heart gradually
weakens. It can involve only one side of the heart or both
sides. If it affects the right side of the heart, it affects
how blood is pumped into the lungs. Heart failure on this side
causes the body to retain fluid in the feet and hands as well
as some internal organs like the liver.
The left side of the heart controls how blood is pumped out
to the rest of the body. Heart failure on this side of the
heart results in extreme fatigue and in shortness of breath.
In some cases, heart failure can occur on both sides and all
of these symptoms are present.
People who have high blood pressure, have had a heart attack,
or have an enlarged heart are at risk for heart failure. Diabetes
and heart murmurs can also be risk factors for heart failure.
If you have a family history of this illness, you need to
make sure your doctor knows so that you can be tested regularly.
It’s important that you get diagnosed as early as possible
so that treatment options can be more effective. Treatment
includes medication, nutritional changes, and physical activity.
Many
people who are diagnosed with heart failure live a long
time. There are lifestyle changes such as decreasing the sodium
in your diet, exercising, taking prescribed medications, and
visiting with your physician often.
You also need to monitor your weight daily and talk with your
healthcare provider about any major changes. This can indicate
a fluid build up in the body. Heart failure is becoming more
common in the United States as people are having heart attacks
at a high rate.
A heart attack may leave your heart weakened and unable to
function at its original level. Fortunately, with good medical
care, you can live for a long time with heart failure and have
a high quality of life. If you’re diagnosed with heart failure,
there’s no need to panic. This doesn’t mean that your heart
is going to stop beating immediately. It simply means that
it is weak.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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